HELP LOCALLY: 2nd Annual Circus Soirée to Benefit CircEsteem Chicago's Youth Circus

Join us for the 2nd Annual Circus Soirée, where guests will be treated to a special circus performance by CircEsteem youth and staff, a live and silent auction, and an opportunity to learn how to walk on a tightrope, juggle or roll around in a gym wheel. Circus Soirée proceeds benefit CircEsteem's HomeWork & CircusWork program, an after school program that provides tutoring, circus arts training, and healthy snacks to more than 30 youth three times a week throughout the school year. Since 2001, CircEsteem's mission has been to unite youth from diverse racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds by helping them build self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice of circus arts. Our curriculum includes clowning, juggling, stilt-walking, unicycling, and acrobatics all of which is taught by professional circus staff and is designed to allow students to progress at their own pace. By overcoming obstacles and achieving goals, our students demonstrate increased self-esteem, higher grade point averages, and new found circus skills. My favorite Circus Soirée shots were the cool juxtaposition of the kids doing circus arts and the rockin' antiques in the Architectural Artifacts space. Check out ChiIL Mama's Full Circus Soiree Photo Recap Below: Last year my husband & I video taped the whole show & shot close to 500 stills, and our son & daughter both performed.   This year our kids are taking a fall hiatus after 3 solid years of circus arts with CircEsteem.     Du-Jay just started the selective enrollment, gifted program at Lane Tech and needs to settle in to the rigorous academic demands and workload.   Sagezilla is again doing competitive gymnastics with the Chicago Comets team and has practice 4 days a week, so we needed to ease up on circus, just for the moment.   But we'll be back! The kids adore circus arts and we have seen first hand what a wonderful program CircEsteem runs and highly recommend it.   Help out if you can! We need your help to reach our goal of raising $60,000 to support our free circus programs.  There are many ways you can get involved. Buy a ticket to the event, donate an item to the silent auction, make a donation or volunteer!  It's going to be a night you won't want to miss!

Check out more of our "best of" below:

There was excellent array of food choices from jambalaya to gourmet tacos & crepes.

The "boozie snocones" and non boozie snocones for the under agers were a huge hit!

And there was a plethora of cool silent auction items to choose from.   
We were so stoked to win the collapsible hula hoop, private lessons with Dizzy Lizzy and an outdoor trapeze session on the lakefront!

Don't miss Circus Soirée 2 on October 17th!!   Book your tickets by the 4th.   Time's ticking....

Sagezilla's first pro-stage makeup session!

These kids & instructors have some serious talents!

At CircEsteem the older kids are paid to mentor and teach the younger ones and sliding scale classes and free tutoring make circus arts accessible to all.   HELP OUT if you can.

DANCE OPENING: DANCING HINDU GODS, LIVE SNAKES, LOVE AND VENGEANCE At The Joffrey Ballet

The Joffrey Ballet Presents Chicago Premiere of Exotic, Romantic Ballet set in India,

LA BAYADÈRE: THE TEMPLE DANCER

Auditorium Theatre, October 16 – 27

Less than a month after its special “Russian Masters” program, The Joffrey Ballet transports Chicago audiences to India with the Chicago Premiere of La Bayadère: The Temple Dancer, choreographed by Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch.  La Bayadère is presented over 10 performances with orchestral accompaniment by The Chicago Philharmonic conducted by Joffrey Music Director Scott Speck, at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, October 16 – 27.

Set in story-book India, La Bayadère: The Temple Dancer premiered at the Houston Ballet in 2010 and revolves around Nikiya, a temple dancer in the royal courts, her secret lover Solor, and the jealousy and betrayal that rips them apart.  Based on Marius Petipa’s classic choreography – including the famous “Kingdom of the Shades” scene, which Welch has left intact – Welch revitalizes a 19^th century classic full of the fantastic mysticism of the Orient, complete with dancing Hindu gods and live snakes. 

“La Bayadère is a legendary ballet, with the third act ‘Kingdom of the Shades’ reigning as one of the most memorable dance sequences in the classical tradition,” said Ashley Wheater, Joffrey Ballet Artistic Director.  “136 years after its creation, I sought a fresh way of telling the story.  Stanton Welch’s production breathes new life into La Bayadère, while retaining the best of Marius Petipa’s original choreography.  Stanton has compressed and clarified the story, focusing on physical action rather than traditional pantomime.  The story is told through movement with athleticism that appeals to contemporary audiences.”

A ballet in three acts, La Bayadère features lavish costumes and sets by British designer Peter Farmer and is accompanied by Ludwig Minkus’ score as arranged by John Lanchbery. The costume designs evoke a story-book India through traditional attire such as harem pants and saris.  “Peter's scenic design is not a realistic depiction of India,” commented Welch.  “It's like looking through an old picture book from western culture with a view of romanticized India.  The production has a very painterly look, almost reminiscent of Monet, which gives it dreaminess and romance.”  The lavish production includes 121 costumes comprised of 568 items.  This also includes 26 handmade white tutus for the “Kingdom of the Shades” scene.

The ballet opens in the wild, lush jungle of India as the brave warrior Solor kills a menacing Bengal tiger, consequently saving the life of the temple dancer Nikiya.  The two are love-struck, but Nikiya has devoted her life to dancing only for the gods.  However, the High Priest of the temple, or Brahmin, is also in love with Nikiya.  As a reward for killing the man-eating tiger, Solor is promised the hand in marriage of Gamzatti, the Rajah’s daughter, a further obstacle to Solor and Nikiya’s blossoming secret love.  From there, the drama compounds and the twists unfurl as Nikiya and Solor struggle to fulfill their love while the forces of jealousy, vengeance and fate conspire to keep them apart.

La Bayadère’s third act, the famous “Kingdom of the Shades,” showcases the female ensemble dancers in white tutus, executing 38 synchronized arabesques as they slowly fill the stage, one of the purest forms of ballet-blanc, or white tutu ballet.  “The ‘Kingdom of the Shades’ is a challenging segment because it requires such control and precision from the women,” added Welch.  The “Kingdom of the Shades” is so popular it is often performed on its own.

Although the exact origin of the story of La Bayadère is unknown, it is an example of 19^th century Romantic ballets set in an exotic location with a fascination with the Orient, spiritualism, triangular relationships, ethereal beings and dramatic plot lines.  Petipa’s La Bayadère premiered on the Bolshoi Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1877.  

Tickets & Performance Schedule

Single tickets range from $31 to $152 and are available now at The Joffrey Ballet’s official Box Office located in the lobby of Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph Street, as well as the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Box Office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by telephone at (800) 982-2787, or online atwww.ticketmaster.com.  

La Bayadère: The Temple Dancer runs Wednesday, October 16 through Sunday, October 27.  The full performance schedule is as follows:  Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 pm; Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2 pm; Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 pm; Friday, October 25 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Oct. 26 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, October 27 at 2 pm.

About the Artists

Stanton Welch (Choreographer) was born in Melbourne, Australia and began his training in 1986, quickly winning a scholarship to San Francisco Ballet School.  In 1989, he was engaged as a dancer with The Australian Ballet, where he rose to the rank of leading soloist.  Welch’s choreographic career developed during his time with The Australian Ballet.  In 1990, he received his first choreographic commission from the company, marking the beginning of a series of commissioned works over the next fourteen years and developing his diverse choreographic style.  In 1995, Welch was named resident choreographer of The Australian Ballet.  In 2003, Welch assumed the leadership of Houston Ballet, America's fourth largest ballet company, as Artistic Director.  Since his arrival, Welch has transformed Houston Ballet by raising the level of classical technique, infusing the company with new energy, drive and vision; introducing works by distinguished choreographers to the repertoire; and attracting some of the world's best coaches to Houston to work with the dancers.  He has created works for such prestigious international companies as Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Australian Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and Royal Danish Ballet.

Born in Luton, England, Peter Farmer's prolific career in set and costume design includes over 300 productions in dance and theater.  Farmer’s first work in ballet was the design of Jack Carter's Agrionia in 1964 for Ballet Rambert.  Since then he has created designs for many major ballet companies around the world, including Stuttgart Ballet, The Royal Ballet Touring Company, London Festival Ballet, The Australian Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Vienna State Opera, Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.  He made his debut with The National Ballet of Canada in 1973 when he designed Erik Bruhn and Celia Franca's production of Les Sylphides.  In 1990, Farmer returned to the National Ballet to design the company's production of Robert North's Troy Game.  In 1992, he designed the sets and costumes for Houston Ballet’s production of Manon.  In 1995, The Australian Ballet unveiled Farmer’s sets and costumes for their production of Madame Butterfly choreographed by Stanton Welch.  Farmer continues to design for dance, creating sets and costumes for many companies across North America.

The Joffrey Ballet is Chicago’s premier ballet company committed to artistic excellence and innovation, presenting a unique repertory encompassing masterpieces of the past and cutting-edge works of today.  Founded by visionary teacher Robert Joffrey in 1956, guided by celebrated choreographer Gerald Arpino from 1988 until 2007, The Joffrey Ballet continues to thrive under Artistic Director Ashley Wheater and Executive Director Greg Cameron.  The Joffrey is also committed to providing arts education and accessible dance training through its Joffrey Academy of Dance and Community Engagement programs. 

The Joffrey Ballet is grateful for the support of its 2013-2014 Season Sponsors and Partners.  With special thanks to La Bayadère Presenting Sponsors, Margot and Josef Lakonishok; La Bayadère Production Sponsor, Jane Ellen Murray Foundation; Abbott Fund and NIB Foundation, Co-Sponsors of the 2013-2014 Season; United Airlines, Official & Exclusive Airline; Vanguard Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago Center for Orthopedics, Official Healthcare Provider; AthletiCo, Official Provider of Physical Therapy; JW Marriott, Official Hotel; and MAC, Official Cosmetic Sponsor.

Upcoming

Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker returns for its seasonal run at the Auditorium Theatre, bringing Tchaikovsky’s classic score to life with dancing snowflakes, battling toys, waltzing flowers and the splendor of the full Joffrey company on stage with over 100 young dancers from the Chicagoland area.  Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker is presented in 23 performances, December 6 – 28, 2013.

For more information on The Joffrey Ballet and its programs, please visit joffrey.org.

ONE NIGHT ONLY: NATYA DANCE THEATRE presents World Premiere of THE SEVENTH LOVE, An evening-length dance-theater work created in collaboration with Lookingglass Theatre’s David Kersnar

Natya Dance Theatre, Chicago’s longest running contemporary Indian dance company, announces a World Premiere: The Seventh Love, an evening-length work of dance-theater created collaboratively by Hema and Krithika Rajagopalan and Lookingglass Theater’s David Kersnar, at the Harris Theater, Saturday, November 2.

Here at ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama, we've long been admirers of David Kersnar's works.   Check out our original video interview with him, during his collaboration on Goodnight Moon for Chicago Children's Theatre.

Now check out his latest collaboration in person:

World Premiere of THE SEVENTH LOVE

Harris Theater

One Night Only: November 2

Real life stories from Chicago women about love and relationships play a key role in the sound score of The Seventh Love, a work that explores the various aspects of love through dialogue, original music and powerful Bharata Natyam dance.

True Stories from Chicago Women about Love and Relationships Play Key Role in Narrative

 Natya Dance Theatre, Chicago’s critically-acclaimed and longest running dance company rooted in the Indian dance-theater technique of Bharata Natyam, returns to the Harris Theater with the World Premiere of The Seventh Love, an exploration of love in eastern teachings based on the life of the god Krishna.  The Seventh Love is conceived by Natya Associate Artistic Director Krithika Rajagopalan in collaboration with David Kersnar, a founding member of Chicago’s Tony Award®-winning Lookingglass Theatre, and is written and directed by Kersnar and choreographed by Natya Founder and Artistic Director Hema Rajagopalan.   Natya presents The Seventh Love in one performance only at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Street, Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 pm.

Following last year’s highly successful Sita Ram, an original world musical at the Harris Theater created by Kersnar, Krithika Rajagopalan, Josephine Lee of the Chicago Children’s Choir and composer Jai Uttal, Kersnar and Rajagopalan team up once again for The Seventh Love, a humorous dance drama revolving around the life of Krishna and understanding the various aspects of love.  Based on the ancient Buddhist discourse known as “The Five Aspects of Love” – which include attention, affection, acceptance, allowance and appreciation – Kersnar and Rajagopalan’s narrative story, brought to life through expressive dance and dialogue between a sage and a king, examines the various stories of Krishna’s life, from childhood through his adult relationships.  Through the lens of Krishna, the sage and the king seek to understand what true love really means and how a person can attain the sixth love, or “perfect love” encompassing all five aspects, before moving on to the seventh love, which is universal, selfless love. 

Bringing a real life element to Kersnar and Rajagopalan’s story, the sound design includes true stories from Chicago women about their real-life relationships, ranging from anecdotes about arranged marriages and surviving domestic abuse to lessons learned from both successful and failed marriages. 

Accompanied by original music from Rajkumar Bharathi, who also composed for Natya’s premiere of The Flowering Tree at the Harris Theater in 2011, and brilliant costumes designed by Ruknini Rajans and Krithika Rajagopalan, Hema Rajagopalan’s Bharata Natyam choreography – full of percussive footwork, symbolic hand gestures, fascinating geometry in movement and engaging facial expressions – uses 15 dancers to bring the story of The Seventh Love to life in a fresh, contemporary way that sheds new light on the ancient mysteries of love, life and human relationships.  

Tickets

Tickets for The Seventh Love range from $24 to $75 and are available by calling the Harris Theater Box Office at 312-334-7777 or online atwww.harristheaterchicago.org.  

About the Artists

Natya Dance Theatre was founded in 1975 by renowned dancer, choreographer and dance educator Hema Rajagopalan to serve as an agent of cultural preservation, presentation and exchange.  Natya seeks to sustain and develop the traditional art forms of India through the teaching and performance of Bharata Natyam for audiences of all backgrounds.  Bharata Natyam is a classical dance form of southern India that combines dynamic body movement with rhythmic footwork and stylized hand gestures and facial expressions.  Natya promotes the values of Indian culture, preserves an ancient art form, and forges links among Indian, American and other cultures.

Hema Rajagopalan (Artistic Director, Choreographer) is a Bharata Natyam dancer, teacher and choreographer of international repute.  She is the founder and Artistic Director of Natya Dance Theatre, a professional touring company and school that has specialized in Bharata Natyam for the past 38 years.  Her innovative work preserves Bharata Natyam in its full integrity, developing the art form in new directions and bringing it to diverse audiences all over the world.  Her gurus are some of the foremost figures in Bharata Natyam: Padma Shri K. N. Dandayudapani Pillai and Padma Bhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan theAbhinaya exponent.  She has performed as a soloist at prestigious venues throughout the world.  As a choreographer, she has created numerous short works and over thirty evening-length productions.  Noteworthy among her many prestigious awards are an Emmy® Award for the public TV production, World Stage Chicago, seven National Endowment for the Arts choreography awards in the U.S. (the highest number ever) and the Vishwa Kala Bharati award for artistic excellence in India.   She conducts workshops and master classes at colleges and universities throughout the country, and is an adjunct faculty member at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.

Krithika Rajagopalan (Associate Artistic Director, Story Creator) has trained under Bharata Natyam masters, learning from world-renowned practitioners Hema Rajagopalan and Padma Bhushan Kalanidhi Narayanan.  Krithika also has trained in Kalari Payatu (Indian martial arts) and yoga.  She has given numerous solo performances and has had the honor of appearing for President Bill Clinton and at prestigious venues all over the world, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; the Ravinia Festival; the Auditorium Theatre; the Kentucky Centre for the Arts; the Music and Dance Festival of Madras, India; and the National Centre for Performing Arts, Bombay, India.  She has choreographed sixteen full-length works.  In 2006, she performed as a soloist at Chicago’s Millennium Park with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, and also performed with the Silk Road Ensemble at New York’s Rubin Museum.  In 2006, Krithika was the first Indian ever nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award, an award that acknowledges outstanding achievement in Chicago theater.  Recognition of Krithika’s work includes the Chicago Dance Award, the Jerome Foundation Grant, the Master Teacher Award from the Illinois Arts Council, the Illinois Arts Council Fellowship, the Woman Warrior Award from Columbia College Chicago, and the Commitment to the Arts Award from Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago.

David Kersnar (Story Creator, Writer and Director) is a founding ensemble member of the Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theatre Company and has performed, designed and directed with the company since it was founded in 1988.  Kersnar has also appeared with the Goodman, Steppenwolf and Remains Theatre in Chicago, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Actor’s Gang in Los Angeles, and the Touchstone Theatre of Pennsylvania.   Kersnar served as the Lookingglass Artistic Director from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1997 to 2000.  Kersnar founded and currently serves as one of the Master Teachers of the Lookingglass Education & Community Programs, and served as its Director from 1992 to 1997.  He has over 25 years of experience teaching residencies, camps and classes, including courses for Roosevelt University, DePaul University, University of Chicago, Northwestern University, residencies for children with special needs in Chicago area schools, and workshops for the Lookingglass Studio.  Kersnar recently directed Iphigenia 2.0 for Next Theatre and Pulcinella and Peter and the Wolf for Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Marisol, Old Times, and Some Girls for Northwestern University.  Other directing and writing credits include Popcorn and Pasquale for Chicago Lyric Opera, Goodnight Moon for Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Last Act Of Lilka Kadison, La Luna Muda for Lookingglass Theatre, Flying Griffin Circus for the Actor’s Gymnasium and Brundibar for Lookingglass in collaboration with Lively Arts, Chicago Children’s Choir and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.  Kersnar also co-wrote and directed the Lookingglass namesake production,Through the Looking Glass and several productions for the Lookingglass World Circus.

Rajkumar Bharathi (Composer) graduated as an electronics and telecommunications engineer from the prestigious Guindy College of Engineering, Chennai, but turned to music as a full time career after a short stint as an engineer.  He has given classical Carnatic music concerts all over India and has traveled widely to the U.S., Canada, U.K., Gulf countries, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.  Bharathi has been involved in composing music for CD’s, thematic presentations, dance ballets and also for fusion projects.  He also has composed many Varnams, Thillanas and Padams especially for dance projects.  As the great grandson of the poet Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi, he has tuned many of Bharathi’s lesser known compositions and presented them in the classical Carnatic forums.  Bharanthi was nominated for the prestigious Lester Horton Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Composing Music for Creation Myth, a dance ballet for the UCLA Centre for Performing Arts (University of California) in 1995. 

For more information on Natya Dance Theatre and its programs, please visit www.natya.com.

Welcome October -- Chicago Artists Month Events & Exhibitions Begins With Portage Park

Enjoy Portage Park This Weekend  October 4-6           CAM Neighborhood Curator Cyd Smillie (center) with Featured Artists Myra Kalaw and Dennis PaSamba.     Long home to many artists, Portage Park has begun to blossom with sculptures, dance studios, theaters, mask and mural makers, filmmakers and the National Veterans Art Museum. Portage Park will surprise you with its depth, beauty and talent.    -Cyd Smillie, CAM 2013 Neighborhood Curator ____________________________________________________________________________________  E See / Hear / Make / Do Exhibitions: Cubivino's Portable News Stand & Urban Swamp Art Cart  Featured Artist Myra Kalaw of CUBIVINO and the Urban Swamp Art Cart duo of Josh Baigelman & Al Steger team up to create a Portable Newsstand/Art Cart outside the largest news magazine store in Chicago, City News Stand & Café.  Brush with Happiness  Dedication of two murals created by veterans: Scars Make Warriors by Jeff Kierna and Tears of War by Phil Cashdollar. The Magic of Masks  Explore the ancient fascination for mask and puppets with Semmerling & Shaefer. Won't You Be My Neighbor  Group exhibition at Silo Art Space. In the City  An aerosol arts exhibition that transforms a 60' x 18' wall into a colorful work of collaborative art during a two-day period by a hand-picked group of aerosol art veterans and pioneers. Learning/Making: Draw Like Degas  Featured artist Dennis PaSamba opens his studio for drawing and dancing. All are welcome to draw as the class prepares, practices and packs-up. No ballet, though! Mambo, Salsa, Bachata or Hip Hop!   M[ani]Fest Mural  Pick up a brush with muralist Tony Sparrow under the Blue Line Stop on Irving Park. Creativity as Identity  Exhibition and panel discussion about the divide between fine and commercial art, presented by the Chicago Creative Coalition. Art + Architecture Bike Tour  Join Lee Diamond of Big Shoulders Realty and Chicago Velo on a bicycle tour of Chicago's PortagePark and adjacent neighborhoods.  Screenings: Philip Kaufman's Goldstein  Shot entirely on the streets of Chicago during the fall of 1963, Goldstein offers an invaluable record of apartments, factories and downtown movie palaces soon buried by urban renewal by the Chicago-born filmmaker who later directed The Right Stuff, Rising Sun and other films. Moving Pictures/Moving Bodies  Independent films accompanied by dance, music, poetry and food trucks.         And More! About Chicago Artists Month  Chicago Artists Month combines curated weekends with a non-juried program featuring more than 200 events throughout October including open house/open studio tours, neighborhood art walks, informal discussions, workshops and exhibitions, featuring Chicago-based artists and arts organizations. This year CAM features arts activity in a different neighborhood every weekend. Find out more here. Chicago Artists Month is presented as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Park District. In-kind support was received from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises®, Inc. and Chicago Gallery News. Many thanks to our program partners: 6018North, 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis, Alderman Harry Osterman and the 48th Ward, Arts Alive 45, Cedar Street Companies, Claretian Associates, Inc., Garfield Park Conservatory, South Shore Chamber Inc., South Chicago Chamber of Commerce, and Uptown United.

UP COMEDY CLUB PRESENTS ALL-STAR LINE-UP OF STAND-UP COMEDY AND THE PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE SMASH-HIT BEST MUSICAL! A COMPLETELY IMPROVISED MUSICAL COMEDY

UP Comedy Club is known for bringing the best stand-up comedy talent in the country to Chicago. The remainder of this fall’s line-up features many of the best known names in comedy today, including Ian Bagg, Maz Jobrani, D.L. Hughley, Christopher Titus, Todd Barry, Kyle Kinane and Loni Love. Each show includes a feature stand-up comic and a local emcee that hosts the evening.

The U.P. isn't just a vacation destination in Michigan... it's a laugh riot right here at home in Chicago!

Mark your calendars:

In addition to this all-star line-up, UP Comedy Club also presents Porchlight Music Theatre’s BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy, running October 2 – November 6, 2013.

BEST MUSICAL! A Completely Improvised Musical Comedy

Wednesdays at 8pm

October 2 – November 6, 2013

The audience suggests the song titles, then watches the cast create hit after show-stopping, high-kicking musical hit in Act I based off of their suggestions. Votes are cast for "Best Song" and the cast returns for Act II with a fully improvised and hilarious musical comedy (complete with costumes & choreography) around the very song the audience selected.

BEST MUSICAL! is 2 hours with a brief intermission; suggested rating is PG-13. Showing every Wednesday at 8p.m., tickets are $20. Tickets for the UP Comedy Club can be purchased over the phone at (312) 662-4562 or online at www.upcomedyclub.com    

TODD BARRY

November 8-9

New York City-based comedian and actor Todd Barry is widely recognized for his roles as the bongo-playing “Third Conchord” on HBO’s Flight of the Conchords and Mickey Rourke’s deli boss in 2009 Oscar winner The Wrestler, and renowned throughout the entertainment industry for his nuanced, measured, and thoroughly original approach to stand-up. Drawing audience members in with his deadpan self-deprecation and ability to pile punchline upon punchline, his decidedly low-key stage persona belies a deeply intelligent, often biting, occasionally absurdist worldview, one lauded by discerning fans who seek a fresh yet honest update to traditional observation and social commentary.

Boasting multiple stand-up appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and two Comedy Central Presents specials, Todd’s resume also includes such hit TV shows as Louie, Delocated, Bored to Death, Tim and Eric, Chappelle’s Show, Sex and the City, and evenSesame Street. Among his additional feature-film highlights are Todd Phillips’s Road Trip, Louis CK’s Pootie Tang, and Mitch Hedberg’s Los Enchiladas.  You can see him soon at Sigourney Weaver's right hand man in Amy Heckerling's Vamps, and as Paul Rudd's co-worker in David Wain's Wanderlust. Internationally he has performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival, the Vancouver International Comedy Festival, and Kilkenny, Ireland’s Cat Laughs Festival. 

Todd has been heard on both The Howard Stern Show and The Bob & Tom Show, and his albums Medium Energy, Falling Off the Bone, and From Heaven are available from Comedy Central Records, Amazon and iTunes. He has earned the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival’s Jury Award, praise from Ricky Gervais as one of the best comedians of 2009, and accolades from The Onion’s A.V. Club, which declared Medium Energy one of the best comedy albums of the decade.

KYLE KINANE

November 14-16

Kyle Kinane’s comedy career has taken him across the US, Canada, and England.  He has performed in the Leicester, Vancouver, Washington DC, Portland, Just For Laughs/Chicago, and the USCAF/Aspen comedy festivals, and his nights are now occupied with performances at popular venues such as the Upright Citizens Brigade theatre in Los Angeles and the national chain of Improv comedy clubs. He has appeared on TV in "Last Call with Carson Daly," "The Very Funny Show" on TBS, "The World Stands Up" on the BBC, and “Bob’s Burgers” on Fox. On film he can be seen and heard in the Judd Apatow film “Funny People,” and the recent summer film, “Epic.” He is a regular opener for headliners such as Patton Oswalt and Brian Posehn.  Askmen.com rated him #5 on their top 10 list of upcoming comedians.

Showtimes: Thurs. 8 p.m. / Fri. 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. / Sat. 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

Tickets: $20

         

LONI LOVE

November 21-23

Both Variety and Comedy Central have named Loni Love among their Top 10 Comics to Watch, and Campus Activity magazine honored her as its Hot Comic for 2009. Love is not only one of the most hilarious and lovable comics performing stand-up on the comedy club and college circuits but also a busy TV host, guest and actress who has also appeared in films and dramatic plays. Love starred in her own half-hour special for Comedy Central in 2007 and has also been seen on the channel’s “Premium Blend,” “Weekends at the DL,” and “Chocolate News.” Her many television appearances include “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” “The Best Damn Sports Show Period,” VH1′s “I Love the 70′s/80′s/90′s,” “Vh1′s The Great Debate,” and “Comics Unleashed” among numerous others. In 2009 Loni became a CNN correspondent for the show “D.L. Hughley Breaks the News,” covering the inauguration of President Obama, as well as doing correspondence for the “Dr. Oz Show” and ”The Doctors.” Love’s primary passion is performing for live audiences. She puts it simply: “I love to make people laugh!”

Showtimes: Thurs. 8 p.m. / Fri. 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. / Sat. 8 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

Tickets: $20

UP Comedy Club Improv and Sketch Comedy Shows

The Second City's Improv All-Stars

Mondays at 8pm

See Chicago's finest improvisers under the direction of the legendary Mick Napier in an evening of unscripted and unequaled improvisational comedy. This show is highly interactive, hilarious and thoroughly original. Suggested rating R.

Tickets: $16

What the Tour Guide Didn't Tell You

Tuesdays at 8pm
Saturdays & Sundays at 4pm

The Second City does The Second City in this hilarious hometown revue that pulls from 52 years of classic scenes and songs that lovingly make fun of the city we call home. Whether its wholesale political corruption or a hapless ball club on the north side of town, What the Tour Guide Didn't Tell You is a great way to get a laugh filled look at the Windy City.

Tickets: $28

TEAM STARKID: 1NIGHT 2LAST 3EVER

September 15-October 27, 2013

Sundays at 7pm (except September 22 and October 20)

After their success this spring with Airport For Birds, Team StarKid is BACK­­ at UP Comedy Club with all new material. Known for creating heartfelt parody musicals for YouTube, Team StarKid now brings you a sketch show with a bit of Pop-Nostalgia, featuring that classic boy-band, 3Ever! There are enough laughs as a Fruit-by-the-Foot is long (approximately 90 minutes)! So grab your Skip-It, pack a lunch, and join us at The Second City’s UP Comedy Club for 1Night 2Last 3Ever.

Tickets: $20-$50

UP Comedy Club is located at 230 W. North Ave 3^rd Floor of Piper’s Alley Chicago, IL 60614

DANCE OPENINGS: Ballet West at Auditorium Theatre

ROMANCE AND MYSTERY FILL THE AUDITORIUM STAGE WITH BALLET WEST’S 

“The sleeping beauty” and MIXED REP INCLUDING “the Lottery” October 4 – 6 

Auditorium Theatre’s Annual Gala, “An Evening of Fortune and Chance,” October 6 

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University welcomes Ballet West to the stage for the Chicago Premiere of “The Sleeping Beauty ” and a mixed repertory  including “Rubies,” Pas de Deux from “Diamonds," a world premiere piece by Nicolo Fonte and the Midwest premiere of “The Lottery” October 4 - 6. Artistic Director Adam Sklute, formerly of The Joffrey Ballet, returns to Chicago while celebrating Ballet West’s 50th Anniversary. Ballet West, one of America’s favorite companies as well as the stars of the CW’s “Breaking Pointe,” bring the magic of a newly imagined fairytale, choreographed by Sklute and “The Lottery,” a suspenseful, innovative piece—never performed the same way twice—choreographed by Val Caniparoli with an original score by Robert Moran. Tickets ($30 – $90) are on sale now and available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org , by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy).

The Lottery

In conjunction with Ballet West’s engagement, the Auditorium will host their annual gala, “An Evening of Fortune and Chance” on Sunday, October 6. featuring a performance of “The Lottery” followed by a reception and dinner at the Hilton Chicago sponsored by the Pasquinelli Family Foundation. 

We are thrilled to welcome Artistic Director Adam Sklute back to Chicago and the Auditorium’s landmark stage where his former company, The Joffrey Ballet, makes their home,” said Auditorium Theatre Executive Director Brett Batterson. “This mesmerizing company brings diverse and captivating pieces that are sure to have audiences of all ages falling in love and wanting more.”

Adam Sklute’s newly conceived and produced staging of “The Sleeping Beauty” strives to take an ageless fairytale and make it exciting and relevant to modern audience’s while maintaining the classical purity of the beloved story. Taken from the famous Perrault fairytale, Princess Aurora is welcomed into the world by all except the evil Carabose. Cursing the princess with a wicked spell, the princess is doomed to an eternal sleep when she pricks her finger on a magical spindle. 100 years later, Prince Desire is led to Aurora by the enchanted fairies, breaking the spell with a special kiss demonstrating the triumph of good versus evil. With new characters, costumes and vision, Sklute’s “The Sleeping Beauty,” takes audiences on an enchanting journey through time and fantasy. 

I am so thrilled to return to this incredible city and to such a wonderful home at the Auditorium Theater,” said Sklute. “Both programs that Ballet West will perform offer something magical for all audiences. With “The Sleeping Beauty” they are transported to a fairytale story that still resonates today. With “The Lottery” audiences are able see a brand new performance each and every time allowing them a unique and thrilling experience.”

Based on Shirley Jackson’s shocking American short story, “The Lottery,” Val Caniparoli creates a truly suspenseful, interactive experience for both audiences and dancers. Set in a small American town, the community takes part in an annual barbaric ritual, sacrificing one of their own people for the good of the community by drawing ballots to see who will be chosen. In Caniparoli’s innovative ballet, all 14 dancers on stage choose their fate during the performance, creating a wonderful sense of tension and excitement for all. 

One of the greatest things about ballet is that it truly offers something for everyone―storytelling, art, music and astonishing athleticism,” said Sklute. “Our Ballet West dancers are prime examples as artists who are so musically attuned that their very gesture and glance can illuminate the subtlety and nuance of the music they dance to. That artistry and athleticism is shown in full-force during ‘The Lottery.’”

In addition to “The Lottery” Ballet West performs “Rubies” and Pas de Deux from “Diamonds.” George Balanchine’s “Rubies” takes the audience on a journey into the wild 1920’s America. Part of Balanchine’s three-piece masterpiece, “Jewels,” composer Igor Stravinsky creates a three-movement “Capriccio” allowing for a breathless and exciting race to the finish line for the pianist, orchestra and dancers. “Diamonds,” the third section of Balanchine’s “Jewels” was choreographed to Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 capturing the grandeur and soul of imperial Russia. 

Also as part of the mixed repertory on October 6, the Auditorium will host the world premiere of a new piece by Nicolo Fonte.

Ballet West performances are made possible through the generosity of Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner. Support for “The Lottery” is generously provided by the Kipper Family Foundation.

The Lottery” is presented by special arrangement with the Children of Shirley Jackson and Literal Media.

Auditorium Theatre’s Annual Gala “An Evening of Fortune and Chance”

Auditorium Theatre’s annual gala, “An Evening of Fortune and Chance,” sponsored by the Pasquinelli Family Foundation, will be held in conjunction with Ballet West’s engagement on Sunday, October 6. The affair will begin at 3 p.m. with a mixed repertory performance from Ballet West including “Rubies,” Pas de Deux from “Diamonds,” a world premiere performance by Nicolo Fonte and Val Caniparoli’s “The Lottery” at the Auditorium Theatre. The evening continues at the Hilton Chicago (720 S Michigan) where guests will be treated to a reception and dinner. Patti Eylar, Barbara Kipper and Harriet Ross are the gala co-chairs. Special guests of the evening include Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute, Choreographer Val Caniparoli and Choreographer Nicolo Fonte as well as author Shirley Jackson’s children. For tickets and more information please contact Amanda Martinez Byrne at (312) 341-2364 or at abyrne@auditoriumtheatre.org.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information

Sleeping Beauty

Ballet West’s “The Sleeping Beauty ” and Mixed Rep  including “The Lottery” at Auditorium Theatre: 

   The Sleeping Beauty:” Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m.

                                  Saturday, October 5 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m

Mixed Rep including      

The Lottery”:                Sunday, October 6 at 3 p.m.

Tickets ($30 - $90) are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org , by calling
(800) 982-ARTS (2787) or in-person at Auditorium Theatre’s Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy). Ballet West’s “The Sleeping Beauty” is also available at a 30% discount as part of the Auditorium’s Dance Subscription, starting at $84 for four dance shows and $101 for five dance shows. Subscriptions are available at (312) 341.2357 or AuditoriumTheatre.org .

Auditorium Theatre’s 2013 - 14 Season:

The full Auditorium Theatre 2013 – 14 season includes “Death Boogie” (September 5 – 7); Ballet West’s “The Sleeping Beauty” and a Mixed Rep including “Rubies,” Pas de Deux from “Diamonds” and “The Lottery” (October 4 – 6); Hungarian State Folk Ensemble (November 22); “Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” (January 18 - 19); Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (February 28 – March 9); Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan’s “Songs of the Wanderers” (March 14 and 16); Houston Ballet’s “Aladdin” (March 22 – 23); Chick Corea and Béla Fleck (April 5); River North Dance Chicago (April 12); “The Idan Raichel Project” (May 15); and Paul Taylor Dance Company (May 17–18). 

About the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E Congress Pkwy, is an Illinois, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community and educational programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. The Auditorium Theatre is generously supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the NIB Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council and the Palmer House Hilton.  For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theater tours, call (312) 341-2310 or visit AuditoriumTheatre.org .

About Ballet West

From Balanchine to Bournonville and Petipa to Tharp, Ballet West boasts a rich and varied repertoire, elegant and versatile artists, and an American style and legacy that is dynamic, expansive and unexpected. Established by Willam F. Christensen in 1963, the company has toured the world several times over presenting the very best in American classical ballet. With 40 company members, 11 second company members, and a thriving Academy, Ballet West ranks among the top professional ballet companies in America. Since its inception, the Company has had five artistic directors – its founder Willam Christensen, Bruce Marks, John Hart, Jonas Kåge and, currently, Adam Sklute.

Since 2007, Sklute, former dancer, Ballet Master and Associate Director of The Joffrey Ballet, has further energized and expanded Ballet West’s remarkable repertoire with works by the most renowned choreographers of today such as Ulysses Dove, Jiri Kylian, Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, and Stanton Welch. Sklute has also introduced historical masterpieces from the great Ballets Russes and continues to preserve Ballet West’s classical legacy.  Sklute continues to strengthen Ballet West’s heritage by introducing new creations by local, national and international choreographers. With this eclectic and ever expanding outlook, Ballet West is truly an American pioneer in the world of dance.

Rubies Photo Credit Erik Ostling

INCOMING: ANDERS OSBORNE BRINGS PEACE TO EVANSTON!

"Fiery anthems and tumultuous confessional songs punctuated with raw, inspired guitar." --USA TODAY

Award-winning New Orleans guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Anders Osborne, touring in support of his powerful new Alligator Records CD, PEACE, will give a special solo acoustic performance at SPACE in Evanston on Tuesday, October 29, 2013. New Orleans' Gambit Weekly recently honored Osborne as the Entertainer Of The Year. OffBeat magazine awarded him with three 2012 Best Of The Beat Awards. Osborne was named the Crescent City's Best Guitarist for the third year in a row, and also named him the Best Songwriter for the second straight year. In addition, he won Song Of The Year 2012 for Louisiana Gold, from 2012's Black Eye Galaxy CD. Concert information is as follows:

Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Venue: SPACE

Address: 1245 Chicago Avenue

City: Evanston, IL

Phone: 847-492-8860

Showtime: 8:00pm

Ticket price: $24-$46

Website: www.evanstonspace.com

*See website for detailed ticket information

With PEACE, Osborne continues the journey started by his previous Alligator Records releases, American Patchwork and Black Eye Galaxy, emerging from a whirlwind of emotional chaos and moving toward a sense of inner peace.

Recorded in Louisiana and produced by Osborne and Warren Riker, PEACE looks at the title subject from all angles. According to Osborne, " PEACE is light from darkness. I'm writing from a brighter perspective. There's less dusk and dark, and much more sunlight. The results are greater than I expected. The driving tones and sounds are free and natural. This is one of the coolest records I've ever made."

Between the potency of his richly detailed songwriting, his intensely emotional, soulful vocals and his piercing, expert guitar work, New Orleans' Anders Osborne is among the most original and visionary musicians writing and performing today. Guitar Player calls him "the poet laureate of Louisiana's fertile roots music scene."

According to The New Orleans Times Picayune, Osborne's music is "rich and glorious ∑Osborne wields a guitar with the precision of a surgeon and the ardor of a lover. Possessing a voice that rises out of the darkness to the light of a soulful, tremulous wail, he is a consummate shaman, bending successive moments to suit his majestic purposes. Osborne seeks an epic quality to much of his music, crafting layer upon layer of hugely scaled soundscapes. Never lazily derivative, every slashing guitar figure, every cry of a lyric, seems to come from an authentic place."

Since the release of his 2010 Alligator Records debut, American Patchwork, his 2012 follow-up, Black Eye Galaxy, and his critically acclaimed 2013 EP, Three Free Amigos, Osborne has earned hordes of new fans. He has toured virtually non-stop, either with his road-tested trio, as a solo artist, or as a guest with his countless musical admirers, including Toots and The Maytals, Stanton Moore, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Keb Mo, The Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. He's appeared on Galactic's Ya-Ka-May album, and in 2011 produced and played on critically acclaimed albums by Tab Benoit, Johnny Sansone and Mike Zito.